Parkdale Collegiate Institute

School Advisory Council (SAC)

October 18, 2012 Minutes

School Library: 7:00 – 8:30pm

In Attendance: Marlena Rivett, Irene Chewchuk, Diane Rogowski, Monique Schwartz, Kathi Silke, Simon Cotter, John Doherty, Paula Larrondo

1. Motion to approve Agenda and September 28th minutesmoved by John and seconded by Simon. Approved unanimously.

2. Budget Update – Catherine Doyle unavailable so report given by Irene:

  • Budget received from TDSB is $324,985
  • Curriculum leaders met 4 times – recommendations will be submitted to the board. There is a process to divide funds, each curriculum leader submits needs of programs (text books, supplies and equipment)
  • Out of debt!!! Irene explained that all extra monies went to paying off Parkdale's debt and now administration is able to ask staff for 3 and 5 year plans.
  • Parent suggested that the news and allocations be shared with parents
  • Irene has made a commitment to all departments now that we are debt free for programming
  • Non board budget (cash monies – student activities money, field trips etc) not available. Irene explained how budgets are handled
  • Much of our equipment is “off warranty” and the refresh program no longer exists. 95% of our computers went off warranty this month.
  • Simon inquired about whether school needs to purchase from the TDSB and Irene explained that if the item is available through school vendors then it needs to be purchased, through them, otherwise, for special items the school can purchase separately.
  • Equipment donations are fine but servicing would not be covered by the school

3. Ward 7 update –John Doherty

  • There was not much support on ed assistants but parents were interested in working on capital issues
  • Ministry has put a freeze on spending . Nelson Mandela went 11 million over budget.
  • 40-80 million dollars estimated to have to be saved
  • 50-100 schools may be scheduled to close. Closures not expected to be in ward 7
  • board will start to move into conformity with the funding formula
  • There is a parent consultation forum
  • Questions to be added as a link to Parkdale's website
  • Special Ed not included in this process
  • Significant reduction in busing. Particularly in elementary and Special ed, French immersion most affected
  • top 3 languages of Parkdale families requested in order to have translation of flyers etc
  • next Ward 7 meeting is November 20th

4. Fundraising Report - Monique and John:

  • Monique made up poster for the silent auction at parent teacher interviews – best venue for the silent auction will be the cafeteria
  • Monique to staff the 1-3 shift and John is available to staff the table in the evening
  • Poster to be distributed by November the 2nd with online sign up instructions
  • Any monies raised can go into non board funds
  • Simon will contact the alumni committee
  • Pro-grant money will be spent on workshops
  • Council to ask Sabrina – school social worker and psychologist for suggestions on workshops. Kathi suggested the we present a workshop to parents based on the wellness program that is currently being worked on for the kids
  • Simon suggested cyber bullying and gaming as a topics – safe schools committee is discussing this topic
  • It was suggested to invite parents of other schools to attend our workshops
  • Kathi was asked to give post secondary education workshop – application process and post secondary options – date pending. Kathi to ask Andrew Lin for availability. We can advertise on school website, flyer and phone out

5. Principal's Report – Irene Chewchuk:

  • Irene explained District review – process moving well with staff, meetings have taken place and staff is self evaluating
  • March 7th will be the visit. Report will be shared with parents
  • IB program is also being reviewed
  • Staffing: projected enrollment was 898 students, however we have 830, as a result we are overstaffed and under enrolled. Parkdale is losing two teachers for this year as of next Monday. Classes collapsing/ combining include: leap year two, esl, phys ed,
  • some of our senior math classes have been split (grade 11 math class)
  • grade 12 English classes will be split into three classes
  • Staffing changes has impacted 12 teacher's timetables. Students will find out tomorrow.
  • Positions of Responsibility (POR model) – every 3 years, there are 12 curriculum leaders. Staff committee is working on proposing a new model for process on choosing curriculum leaders and terms. All curriculum leaders have to reapply

6. Vice Principal Report - Diane:

  • Parent teacher interviews November 20th, report cards go home November 19th. Teachers to submit marks by November 12
  • October 5thwas spirit assembly
  • October 18th honour's assembly – 300 students received awards
  • November the 7th is take your child to work day
  • October 19th is wear purple day to recognize bullying. There will be a minute of silence
  • October 11th there was a post secondary fair at Parkdale
  • Inside Ride – organization for cancer care for kids (6 people ride a bike for 10 minutes)
  • there will be an extended lunch for the event October 26th
  • it would be great to set up a parent team

7. Other:

  • Paula inquired whether PCI media students would be able to assist with a DVD that Queen Victoria is trying to put together for parents in different languages
  • Sports, athletic fields update – deferred to next meeting
  • Paula inquired whether Casa Canadiense could come and make a presentation in order to see if PCI students are interested in overseas experience as part of the curriculum. Currently Casa Canadiense takes students from several other school boards to Nicaragua. It’s an amazing experience that could be offered to Parkdale students
  • need parents to volunteer for the safe school's committee, Paula volunteered for lunch time meetings and Monique volunteered for afternoon meetings
  • Exploring possibility of parents attending a Parkdale staff meeting. Kathi and Marlena to take it to the staff to see if they are interested in having a parent council representative for a portion of their meetings

Meeting adjourned at 9:12pm